Match Review Committee Hands Down Final Round 7 Charges
Matt Burton, Toni Mataele and Sitili Tupouniua have been charged by the NRL Match Review Committee following Sunday’s Round 7 matches in the 2026 NRL season.
All three players were charged for separate incidents, with Tupouniua’s shoulder charge the most notable offence of the day.
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Club | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Burton | Bulldogs | Careless High Tackle on Luca Moretti | Grade 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Toni Mataele | Eels | Careless High Tackle on Sitili Tupouniua | Grade 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Sitili Tupouniua | Bulldogs | Shoulder Charge on Luca Moretti | Grade 1 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
Players Charged in Round 7 (Sunday)
- Matt Burton – Careless High Tackle (Grade 1)
- Toni Mataele – Careless High Tackle (Grade 1)
- Sitili Tupouniua – Shoulder Charge (Grade 1)
Key Charge
Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs)
Tupouniua has been charged with a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge following an incident involving Luca Moretti in the second half.
- Early Plea: $1,500 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $2,000 fine
Other Charges
Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
Burton has been charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle following contact involving Luca Moretti early in the match.
- Early Plea: $1,000 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $1,500 fine
Toni Mataele (Eels)
Mataele faces a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle charge after an incident involving Sitili Tupouniua.
- Early Plea: $1,000 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $1,500 fine
What Happens Next
Players charged by the NRL Match Review Committee must decide whether to:
- Accept the early guilty plea, or
- Challenge the charge at the NRL Judiciary panel.
Any contested charges will be heard early this week.
